Lazy group members!!!

[StayOrthostatic]

I know I can't be the only one who always ends up in a lab group/doing a group project with the laziest, most irresponsible students in the room. Maybe I just attract slackers naturally?? It's driving me up the wall! My two group mates never have anything read, never have their work ready, and constantly depend on me to get the job done. They have whiny, negative attitudes...Yet, at the end of the day, all of our names go on the lab report.

Why haven't I spoken up about it, you ask? I don't know. Neither of them are going into nursing, fyi. One girl plans on dental hygiene, and the other thinks she's going to med school (I'm not doubting anybody's ability, but I think she's a bit careless, naive, and money-hungry. Any pre-med student should be taking anatomy MUCH more seriously). Because the bulk of our grade depends on independent work, I suppose I've brushed this off. We also sit right in front of the professor, and I know he sees who really does the work. He sees that I'm the only one prepared, and he gave me an excellent reference.

But this still leaves me stressed, drained, and irritated. I'm too nice, and I hate myself for it. My professor is also much more lenient than he should be, but that's an entirely different story...What's the most tactful way to handle this? Besides daydreaming of scolding them? Please and thank you.

[dorkypanda]

I'm sorry you got pared up with those who aren't as motivated like you are. I do feel that speaking to them would be either good or bad. Perhaps talking to your professor about this in a mature, professional manner would give him a heads up about them.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Group projects are just awful and are one of the main reasons that I have avoided grad school. Since your group is not functioning well, and they hardly ever do, vote on having a group leader.

The leader will appoint tasks to each member and have the responsibility to inform the professor, in writing, if a group member fails to attend meetings, is difficult to contact, does not respond to emails or complete his or her assigned tasks.

At the conclusion of the project, the leader can write an addendum that states xyz was assigned to Mr. Slacker but he did not participate or submit any work on this project. Have every member sign the statement and turn it in.